|
The Bridge Programme is intent on advancing equal opportunities and diversity as key features within all its activities, as it believes this to be ethically right and socially responsible. Equality and diversity are essential factors that contribute to the strength of the programme. We believe that excellence will be achieved through recognising the value of every individual. We aim to create an environment that respects the diversity of employees, clients and volunteers and enables them to achieve their full potential, to contribute fully, and to derive maximum benefit and enjoyment from their involvement in the programme.
To this end, we acknowledge the following basic rights for all involved with the programme:
- To be treated with respect and dignity.
- To be treated fairly with regard to all procedures, assessments and choices.
- To receive encouragement to reach their full potential.
The aims of this policy are:
- To ensure that the skills of employees and volunteers are fully used.
- To ensure that employees, service users and volunteers are fairly treated irrespective of gender, race, age, nationality, religion, sexuality, disability or language.
- To ensure sure that staff and volunteer applicants do not have to meet conditions or requirements which are not relevant.
The term 'service user' in this policy includes anyone with whom the Bridge Substance Misuse Programme comes into contact.
Bridge SMP will achieve these aims by:
- Promoting equality of opportunity and fair treatment for all employees, volunteers and clients.
- Acting within the law particularly with regard to: the Race Relations Act; the Sex Discrimination Act; the Disability Discrimination Act; any other relevant legislation.
- Ensuring that the Programme treats all service users fairly.
- Ensuring documentation and promotional literature is accessible regardless of literacy, language or other difficulties.
- Providing a range of activities and services accessible to all irrespective of gender, race, age, nationality, religion, sexuality, disability or language.
- Providing an effective and accessible grievance procedure for employees, volunteers and service users who believe that they have not been treated fairly under this policy.
- Ensuring that all employees are made aware of their own responsibilities under this policy.
- Making this policy available to all employees, volunteers, service users and other organisations involved with Bridge SMP.
Monitoring of all recruitment and services is carried out in order to identify any inequalities in content or participation, and to determine the steps needed to rectify them.
|
